Rheumatoid Arthritis Quiz

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that affects 1.5 million Americans.
It has no cure, but it can be controlled by a range of treatments. Learn more about
RA by taking this quiz. It's based on information from the National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

1. One characteristic of RA is that it usually affects the same joints on both sides
of the body. If one hand is involved, the other one is, too.

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RA often affects the wrists and fingers. It also affects the neck, shoulders, elbows,
hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

A. TrueB. False

2. RA always gets worse over time.

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RA varies from person to person. Some people have flare-ups, when symptoms worsen,
and periods of remission, when symptoms ease. Other people develop severe RA. This
lasts for many years and causes joint damage and disability.

A. TrueB. False

3. RA is an autoimmune disease.

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An autoimmune disease means that the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's
own tissues. In RA, the immune system attacks the joints, destroying cartilage and
bone.

A. TrueB. False

4. RA is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men.

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Some other forms of arthritis also are more common in women. Two examples are systemic
lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia.

A. TrueB. False

5. If you have a family history of RA, you are more likely to get it yourself.

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Doctors believe that genes play a role in raising the risk for RA. Something in the
environment—an infection, say—may trigger RA in a person who has certain genes. Hormones
also may be involved. RA often eases with pregnancy and flares up after delivery.

A. TrueB. False

6. RA may be difficult to diagnose when symptoms first show up.

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RA symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases and conditions. So it is
often difficult to diagnose RA when the first symptoms show up. A health care provider
will make the diagnosis after a physical exam, a look at a person's medical history,
blood tests, and X-rays.

A. TrueB. False

7. The medical specialist who treats people with RA is the endocrinologist.

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A doctor who specializes in RA and other forms of arthritis is a rheumatologist.

A. TrueB. False

8. Having RA may raise your risk for osteoporosis.

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This is true for both men and women. The risk is greater if you take certain medicines
like corticosteroids for RA. Talk with your health care provider about how you can
help prevent osteoporosis.

A. TrueB. False

9. Eating certain foods can help ease RA symptoms.

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No specific food, ingredient, or supplement helps relieve RA symptoms. But a nutritious,
balanced diet is important to overall health.